Image processing apparatus and communicating method in image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus according to the invention prevents communication with computers connected via a network from being uniformly restricted, and restricts the communication with the computers in accordance with a kind of received data or a kind of data process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an image processing apparatus and acommunicating method in the image processing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an image processing apparatus and a communicatingmethod in the image processing apparatus, in which communication with acomputer connected via a network can be limited.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] In a copying apparatus, the user uses the copying apparatus byusing a card, the copying apparatus permits only the user who possessesthe card to use the copying apparatus or manages the number of usedprint sheets every card and limits the use of the copying apparatus sothat the number of used print sheets lies within the upper limit numberof print sheets.

[0005] A telephone or a facsimile apparatus for transmitting andreceiving data by using a telephone line can refuse a call receptionfrom a registered telephone number or permit only the call receptionfrom the registered telephone number.

[0006] A network printer for printing on the basis of print datatransmitted from a general computer can be connected to the generalcomputer via a network, and transmits and receives various data to/fromthe general computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Since the network printer, however, receives the print data viathe network and prints on the basis of the print data, there is aproblem such that communication with the general computer cannot belimited by using the card.

[0008] In case of receiving the print data via the network, the networkprinter receives the print data by using a plurality of kinds of networkprotocols or via a plurality of kinds of logical ports. There is a casewhere a different printing process is executed in accordance with theused network protocol or a different printing process is executed inaccordance with the port through which the print data was received.

[0009] Further, the network printer receives management command dataother than the print data via the network, thereby enabling the user tomanage or operate the network printer from a remote location.

[0010] Therefore, if the network printer merely enables a computer inwhich it desires to refuse communication to be registered and does notcommunicate with the registered computer, all print data from theregistered computers cannot be received irrespective of the used networkprotocol or irrespective of the port through which the data wasreceived. The print data and management command data from the registeredcomputers cannot be received at all.

[0011] The invention is made in consideration of the above problems andit is an object of the invention to prevent communication with acomputer connected via a network from being uniformly limited and makeit possible to limit the communication with the computer in accordancewith a kind of data which is received or a kind of data process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing an internal structure ofa laser beam printer;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a construction of a printmanagement apparatus;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print managing method;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection limitation table;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a connection limiting method in theprint managing method;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a default operation set table in theprint managing method;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a construction of a print system;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connection limitation table;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a connection limitation table;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data construction;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operations of a host computerand the print management apparatus;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operations of the host computerand the print management apparatus; and

[0024]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operations of the host computerand the print management apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] An embodiment of the invention will be described in detailhereinbelow with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a printmanagement apparatus will be explained as an example of an imageprocessing apparatus.

[0026]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing an internal structure ofa laser beam printer as an example of the print management apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the invention. A laser beam printer(hereinafter, abbreviated to an LBP) 100 inputs character information,character codes, form information, macro commands, and the like whichare supplied from a computer connected to the outside and stores them.In accordance with those information, the LBP 100 forms a correspondingcharacter pattern, form pattern, or the like and forms an image ontorecording paper as a recording medium. The LBP 100 can also registercharacter patterns, form patterns, and the like from the outside.

[0027] The LBP 100 comprises: a control unit 101 for controlling thewhole LBP and converting the character information or the like which issupplied from the computer into an image signal; a laser driver 102 fordriving a semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with the image signal;an electrostatic drum 106 for forming an electrostatic latent image ofthe character pattern by a laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductorlaser 103; and a developing unit 107 for developing the electrostaticlatent image. The print management apparatus according to the inventionis applied to the control unit 101. The LBP 100 also comprises: a paperfeed roller 109 and conveying rollers 110 and 111 for supplying therecording paper enclosed in a sheet cassette 108 to the electrostaticdrum 106; and an operation panel 112 having switches for operation and adisplay such as an LED or the like.

[0028] With such a construction, the control unit 101 mainly convertsthe character information or the like supplied from the computer into animage signal of the corresponding character pattern and outputs it tothe laser driver 102. The laser driver 102 switches the on/offoperations of the laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser103 in accordance with the inputted image signal. The laser beam 104 isdeflected to the right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 105 and scanson the electrostatic drum 106. The latent image is developed by thedeveloping unit 107 arranged around the electrostatic drum 106 andsubsequently transferred onto the recording paper. A cut sheet is usedas recording paper. The recording paper is enclosed in the sheetcassette 108, fetched into the apparatus main body by the paper feedroller 109 and conveying rollers 110 and 111, and supplied to theelectrostatic drum 106.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a construction of a printmanagement apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. Aprint management apparatus 2100 comprises: a CPU 217 for controlling thewhole apparatus; an ROM 213 in which a program for activating theapparatus, a program for controlling the apparatus, font information,various printer control languages, and the like have been stored; and anRAM 216 which provides a work area for information processes, atemporary memory area of data from a host interface 215, a buffer areafor a secondary storing device 214, and the like. Those componentelements 217, 213, and 216 are connected by an internal bus 219. Thecontrol unit in FIG. 1 corresponds to the print management apparatus2100.

[0030] The secondary storing device 214 for storing the font informationand the like, a scanner interface 211 for transmitting and receivingdata to/from a scanner engine unit 2300, a printer interface 212 fortransmitting and receiving the data to/from a printer engine unit 2200,the host interface 215 for transmitting and receiving the data to/from anetwork 2400 and a host computer 2500, and an operation panel 218 areconnected by the internal bus 219, respectively.

[0031] The CPU 217 controls each unit in accordance with the programstored in the ROM 213 and the like and executes processes, which will beexplained hereinlater.

[0032] The print management apparatus 2100 receives the print data froma host computer 2600 or the host computer 2500 via the network 2400. Theprint management apparatus 2100 analyzes the print data, forms imagedata of one page, outputs a video signal based on the image data to theprinter engine unit 2200, and controls the printer engine unit 2200. Theprinter engine unit 2200 prints an image expressed by the image dataonto the paper on the basis of the video signal outputted from the printmanagement apparatus 2100.

[0033] The print management apparatus receives management command datafrom the host computer 2600 or 2500. In accordance with a command shownby the management command data, the print management apparatus executesthe operation such as stop of the process of the print data,interruption of the process of the print data, restart of the process ofthe print data, deletion of the print data, notification of a status ofthe print management apparatus 2100, printer engine unit 2200, orscanner engine unit 2300, turn-off of a power source, resetting(initialization), or the like.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print managing method according tothe embodiment of the invention. When data showing a connecting request(this data is abbreviated to a connecting request hereinbelow) isreceived from, for example, the host computer 2600 connected to thenetwork 2400, the print management apparatus 2100 starts processes shownin FIG. 3. First, an address of the host computer 2600 and a port numberof a connecting request destination are confirmed (step S301).

[0035] The address is a network address such as an IP address or thelike in TCP/IP. The port number is a number for identifying from whichuser the data has been sent or from which program the data has beenderived in the case where a plurality of users use the apparatus or inthe case where a plurality of programs are being executed by theapparatus. The port number is also a number for identifying for whichuser the data is provided or for which program the data is provided. Asa representative number, there is a port number of the TCP/IP.

[0036]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data construction at the time whenthe connecting request or the print data is transferred in accordancewith the TCP/IP. First, the connecting request or the print data istransferred in a form such that a TCP header 1020 and an IP header 1010have been added to a data portion 1030. In case of the print data, theprint data is stored into the data portion 1030. In case of theconnecting request, a command to request for connection is stored intothe data portion 1030. In case of other management command data, eachcommand is stored into the data portion 1030.

[0037] In the IP header 1010, an IP address of a transferring source ofthe data is stored into 1011 and an IP address of a transfer destinationof the data is stored into 1012. In the TCP header, a port number of thetransferring source of the data is stored into 1021 and a port number ofthe transfer destination of the data is stored into 1022. Therefore, bychecking the IP header and the TCP header, the print managementapparatus 2100 can confirm the IP address of the host computer which hastransmitted the connecting request or the print data and confirm theport number of the transfer destination.

[0038] Subsequently, a connection limitation table (FIG. 4), which willbe explained hereinlater, is confirmed (step S302) and whether theconnection is permitted or not is decided (step S303).

[0039] In case of permitting the connection, the print managementapparatus 2100 establishes the connection to the host computer 2600(step S305). After the connection was established, the print managementapparatus 2100 communicates with the host computer, receives datanecessary for the data process, and executes the data process inaccordance with the received data. In case of the print data, a printingprocess is executed. In case of management command data, the apparatusis managed in accordance with a command shown by the management commanddata.

[0040] If the connection is not permitted, the connecting request isrefused and the connection to the host computer 2600 is not established(step S304).

[0041]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the connection limitation tableaccording to the embodiment of the invention. In a connection limitationtable 400, a plurality of connection limitation information has beenstored in each line. Reference numeral 401 denotes a head of oneconnection limitation information and 411 indicates permission/refusalinformation showing whether the connection limitation information of arelevant line permits the connection or refuses it. If it permits theconnection, “permit” is disclosed. If it refuses the connection, “deny”is disclosed. Reference numeral 412 denotes a network (IP) address of acomputer which permits the connection; 413 an address mask; and 414 and415 port numbers. A port number “515” is a print port number fortransmitting and receiving the print data, “47545” indicates amanagement port number for transmitting and receiving the managementcommand data for management, and “any” denotes a value showing all IPaddresses and all port numbers.

[0042]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a connection limiting method in theprint managing method according to the embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 5, steps S303 and S304 of the print managing method shown in FIG. 3are shown in detail. When the connecting request is confirmed, the printmanagement apparatus 2100 starts processes in FIG. 5. First, theconnection limitation information of one line is read out of theconnection limitation table 400 (step S501). Subsequently, the readconnection limitation information is compared with the IP address of thehost computer which issued the connecting request and the port number ofthe connecting request destination (step S502). For example, in case ofcomparing with the connection limitation information of the first line,whether the IP address of the host computer which transmitted theconnecting request is equal to “192.168.1.0” or not is discriminated,and further, whether the port number of the transfer destination of theconnecting request is equal to “515” or “47545” is discriminated.

[0043] If it is determined in step S502 that they coincide, contents ofthe permission/refusal information are confirmed (step S503). In case of“permit”, the connection to the host computer which transmitted theconnecting request is established (step S504). In case of “deny”, theconnecting request is refused and the connection to the host computer isnot established (step S505).

[0044] If it is determined in step S502 that they do not coincide,whether the line is the last line or not is discriminated (step S506).If it is not the last line, the next connection limitation informationof one line is read (step S501). In case of the last line, the defaultoperation is executed (step S507).

[0045]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a default operation set table in theprint managing method according to the embodiment of the invention. Adefault operation set table 600 is a table in which the defaultoperation for discriminating whether the connection is made when theconnecting request is received from the host computer which does notcorrespond to the connection limitation table or not has been specified.In FIG. 6, “connection permission” has been set as a default operation.

[0046] An example in which the data processing method differs every portnumber will now be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing theoperations of the host computer and the print management apparatus 2100in the case where the host computer inputs a PDL (Page DescriptionLanguage) print job to the print management apparatus 2100. The printmanagement apparatus 2100 operates as shown in FIG. 11 in accordancewith the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 5.

[0047] First, the host computer transmits the connecting request to theprint management apparatus 2100 in accordance with a print instructionfrom the user (step S1101). At this time, “9002” is set to the portnumber of the transfer destination of the connecting request. Thus, theprint management apparatus 2100 confirms the IP address of thetransferring source of the connecting request and the port number of thetransfer destination, collates them with limitation table, anddiscriminates whether the connection is permitted or refused. In case ofpermitting the connection, data indicative of the permission of theconnection is transmitted to the host computer (step S1102). In case ofrefusing, data indicative of the refusal of the connection istransmitted to the host computer.

[0048] When the data indicative of the permission of the connection isreceived from the print management apparatus 2100, the host computertransmits the print data described by the PDL (step S1103). In thisinstance, “9002” is set to the port number of the transfer destinationof the print data. When the data indicative of the refusal of theconnection is received from the print management apparatus 2100, thehost computer does not transmit the print data but notifies the user ofthe fact that the print data cannot be transmitted. In response to thisnotice, the print management apparatus 2100 processes the received dataas print data described by the PDL.

[0049]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operations of the host computerand the print management apparatus 2100 in the case where the hostcomputer inputs a print job using a protocol such as LPD or LPR or aprint application to the print management apparatus 2100. The printmanagement apparatus 2100 operates as shown in FIG. 12 in accordancewith the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 5.

[0050] First, the host computer transmits the connecting request to theprint management apparatus 2100 in accordance with a print instructionfrom the user (step S1201). At this time, “515” is set to the portnumber of the transfer destination of the connecting request. Thus, theprint management apparatus 2100 confirms the IP address of thetransferring source of the connecting request and the port number of thetransfer destination, collates them with limitation table, anddiscriminates whether the connection is permitted or refused. In case ofpermitting the connection, data indicative of the permission of theconnection is transmitted to the host computer (step S1202). In case ofrefusing, data indicative of the refusal of the connection istransmitted to the host computer.

[0051] When the data indicative of the permission of the connection isreceived from the print management apparatus 2100, the host computertransmits the print data by using the protocol such as LPR or the printapplication (step S1203). In this instance, “515” is set to the portnumber of the transfer destination of the print data. When the dataindicative of the refusal of the connection is received from the printmanagement apparatus 2100, the host computer does not transmit the printdata but notifies the user of the fact that the print data cannot betransmitted. In response to this notice, the print management apparatus2100 receives the print data by using the protocol such as LPR or theprint application and starts the printing process.

[0052] As other kinds of jobs, there are a copy job, a scan job, a BOXprint job, a remote copy job, a remote scan job, a remote print job, anaccount job, a calibration job, a box operation job, a facsimiletransmission job, a PDL resource job, and the like. If an individualport number has been allocated to each of those jobs, whether a processof each job is permitted or refused can be finely set.

[0053] As mentioned above, even if there are a plurality of kinds ofdata processing methods, by permitting or refusing the communicationwith the host computer every data process, a situation that all datafrom a certain host computer cannot be uniformly processed can beavoided.

[0054] An example in the case where the port number has been allocatedto each of the process of the print data and the process of themanagement command data will now be described.

[0055]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a construction of a print system towhich the print management apparatus according to the embodiment of theinvention is applied. According to the print system, a managementcomputer (address “150.61.66.101”) 702 for managing the print system, acomputer (address “172.22.10.0”) 703 of a division A in which only theprinting is permitted, and a computer (address “172.22.11.0”) 704 of adivision B in which the printing and management are not permitted areconnected to the print management apparatus 2100 having management portsand print ports.

[0056] To set the limitation as shown in FIG. 7, a connection limitationtable as shown in FIG. 8 is prepared in the print management apparatus2100. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the connection limitation tablecorresponding to FIG. 7. Connection limitation information 801 to 803has been stored in the connection limitation table. It is now assumedthat a print port number is set to “515” and a management port number isset to “47545”. The connection limitation information 801 corresponds tothe computer (address “172.22.11.0”) 704, and the connection in allports including the print ports and management ports is refused, so thatthe printing and management are not permitted. The connection limitationinformation 802 corresponds to the computer (address “172.22.10.0”) 703,and it will be understood that the printing at the first line ispermitted but the management at the second line is not permitted. Theconnection limitation information 803 corresponds to the computer(address “150.61.66.101”) 702, the printing at the first line ispermitted, and the management at the second line is permitted.

[0057] By using the above construction, the port for transmitting theprint data and the port for transmitting the management command data areprovided, and whether the connection is permitted or refused can be setevery port with respect to a certain computer, so that whether theprinting is permitted or not and whether the management is permitted ornot can be independently set, respectively.

[0058] To set the limitation as shown in FIG. 7, a connection limitationtable as shown in FIG. 9 can be also prepared in the print managementapparatus 2100. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the connection limitationtable corresponding to FIG. 7 and the same contents as those in FIG. 8are described. Connection limitation information 901 corresponds to thecomputer (address “172.22.10.0”) 703 and the printing is permitted.Connection limitation information 902 corresponds to the computer(address “150.61.66.101”) 702, the printing at the first line ispermitted, and the management at the second line is permitted. Further,by connection limitation information 903, the printing and themanagement of the computer 704 are not permitted and the management ofthe computer 703 is not permitted. Although the management port and theprint port have been described in the embodiment, the invention can bealso applied to various ports such as copy port to transfer data forrequesting the copy, scan port to transfer data for requesting the scan,resource port to transfer resources such as font, form data, and thelike, event port to notify an event, for example, an error whichoccurred in the print management apparatus 2100 and printer engine unit2200, and the like. The invention can be applied to not only a portpeculiar to the printer but also a general lpd (Line Printer Daemon)port, an smtp (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) port, and the like.

[0059] In the embodiment, it is presumed that the host computer knowsthe corresponding port number every kind of data process. However, acountermeasure method in the case where the host computer does not knowthe corresponding port number every kind of data process will now bedescribed.

[0060]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operations of the host computerand the print management apparatus 2100 in the case where the hostcomputer inputs the job to the print management apparatus 2100.

[0061] First, the host computer transmits the connecting request to theprint management apparatus 2100 in accordance with an instruction fromthe user (step S1301). At this time, “47545” is set to the port numberof the transfer destination of the connecting request. Thus, the printmanagement apparatus 2100 confirms the IP address of the transferringsource of the connecting request and the port number of the transferdestination, collates them with the connection limitation table, anddiscriminates whether the connection is permitted or refused. In case ofpermitting, data indicative of the permission of the connection istransmitted to the host computer (step S1302). In case of refusing, dataindicative of the refusal of the connection is transmitted to the hostcomputer.

[0062] When the data indicative of the permission of the connection isreceived from the print management apparatus 2100, the host computerrequests the port number which can be used for transferring job datafrom the print management apparatus 2100 (step S1303). In response tothis request, “47545” is set to the port number of the transferdestination. At the same time, the fact that it is desired to transmitthe kind of data process, for example, the kind of job to be executedand the management data command is notified. Thus, the print managementapparatus 2100 specifies the port number corresponding to the kind ofdata process and notifies the host computer of the specified port number(step S1304). “10000” is notified as a corresponding port number here.

[0063] Subsequently, the host computer again transmits the connectingrequest to the print management apparatus 2100 (step S1305). In thisinstance, “10000” is set to the port number of the transfer destinationof the connecting request. Thus, the print management apparatus 2100confirms the IP address of the transferring source of the connectingrequest and the port number of the transfer destination, collates withthe connection limitation table, and discriminates whether theconnection is permitted or refused. In case of permitting theconnection, data indicative of the permission of the connection istransmitted to the host computer (step S1306).

[0064] When the data indicative of the permission of the connection isreceived from the print management apparatus 2100 again, the hostcomputer transmits the job data (step S1307). At this time, “10000” isset to the port number of the transfer destination of the job data.

[0065] By using the above construction, the host computer does not needto know the corresponding port numbers with respect to the kinds of alldata processes. Since it is possible to release only the management portnumbers and not to release the port number corresponding to each job,the number of times in which the connection is erroneously establishedto the host computer to which the refusal of the connection could not beset can be reduced.

[0066] In step S1303 in FIG. 13, the fixed port number corresponding tothe kind of data process has been notified. However, the printmanagement apparatus 2100 can also dynamically allocate the port numberand notify the host computer of the port number. In this case, the printmanagement apparatus forms connection limitation information on thebasis of the IP address of the host computer and the allocated portnumber and adds this connection limitation information to the connectionlimitation table. For example, assuming that the IP address of the hostcomputer is equal to “134.233.21.1” and the allocated port number isequal to “20000”, connection limitation information of “access-listpermit 134.233.21.1 255.255.255.0 20000” is formed and added to theconnection limitation table. After that, when the host computer sets“20000” to the port number of the transfer destination and transfers thejob data, the connection is permitted.

[0067] By dynamically allocating the port number, the number of times inwhich even if the host computer sets the wrong port number and transfersthe data, this data is erroneously received and processed can bereduced.

[0068] Although the embodiment has been described with respect to theports regarding the IP protocol, logical ports can be also allocated toother protocols. Further, not only the ports regarding the protocol onthe network but also an interface such as Centronics, serial interface,or the like can be also regarded as logical ports and allocated.

[0069] Although the embodiment has been described with respect to theMFP (Multi Function Peripheral) devices, the invention can be alsoapplied to other print systems such as an ink jet system and the like.The invention can be also similarly applied to the copying apparatus.Moreover, the connection limitation table can be also set from a panelcomputer.

[0070] The print management apparatus can be also replaced with aprinter itself such as copying apparatus, hybrid apparatus, or the like.

[0071] According to the invention as described above, a situation thatthe communication with the computers connected via the network isuniformly restricted is avoided and the communication with the computersconnected can be restricted in accordance with the kind of received dataor the kind of data process.

[0072] Also in the case where there are a plurality of kinds of dataprocessing methods, by permitting or refusing the communication with thehost computers every data process, a situation that all data from acertain host computer cannot be uniformly processed can be avoided.

[0073] Since the port for transmitting the print data and the port fortransmitting the management command data are provided and whether theconnection is permitted or refused can be set every port with respect toa certain computer, whether the printing is permitted or not and whetherthe management is permitted or not can be independently set,respectively.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus which cancommunicate with a computer via a network by using a port numberallocated in correspondence to a kind of data process and executes animage process in accordance with data from the computer, comprising:address obtaining means for obtaining an address of a transferringsource of the data on the basis of the data received from said computer;port number obtaining means for obtaining a port number of a transferdestination of the data on the basis of the data received from saidcomputer; and discriminating means for collating limitation informationshowing whether the communication with the computer is permitted or not,the address obtained by said address obtaining means, and the portnumber obtained by said port number obtaining means and discriminatingwhether the communication with the computer is made or not, wherein ifit is determined that the communication with the computer is made, thedata process corresponding to the port number obtained by said portnumber obtaining means is executed.
 2. An apparatus according to claim1, further comprising: deciding means for deciding whether the portnumber obtained by said port number obtaining means is a first portnumber corresponding to a printing process for processing print data ora second port number corresponding to a managing process for processingthe apparatus in accordance with command data, and wherein if it isdetermined that the communication with the computer is made, theprinting process or the managing process is executed in accordance withwhether the port number obtained by said port number obtaining means isthe first port number or the second port number.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the port number is allocated incorrespondence to a kind of job, and when the communication with thecomputer is made, a process of a job corresponding to the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining means is executed.
 4. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein in said limitation information,the address, the port number, and permission information showing whetherthe communication with the computer is permitted or not are made tocorrespond to each other, and said discriminating means discriminateswhether the communication with the computer is made or not on the basisof said permission information corresponding to the address obtained bysaid address obtaining means and the port number obtained by said portnumber obtaining means.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ifthe address obtained by said address obtaining means and the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining means do not correspond to saidlimitation information, said discriminating means discriminates whetherthe communication with the computer is made or not in accordance with apreset operation designation.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: receiving means for receiving a connecting requestfrom the computer; and connection control means for establishing theconnection to the computer, and wherein said address obtaining meansobtains the address of the transferring source of the connecting requeston the basis of said connecting request, said port number obtainingmeans obtains the port number of the transfer destination of theconnecting request on the basis of said connecting request, saiddiscriminating means collates said limitation information, the addressobtained by said address obtaining means, and the port number obtainedby said port number obtaining means and discriminates whether theconnection to the computer is established or not, said connectioncontrol means establishes the connection to the computer if it isdetermined that the connection is established, and the data process isexecuted after the connection to the computer was established by saidconnection control means.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid image processing apparatus is a printer.
 8. An image processingapparatus which can communicate with a computer via a network by using aport number allocated in correspondence to a kind of data process andexecutes an image process in accordance with data from the computer,comprising: address obtaining means for obtaining an address of atransferring source of the data on the basis of the data received fromsaid computer; port number obtaining means for obtaining a port numberof a transfer destination of the data on the basis of the data receivedfrom said computer; discriminating means for collating limitationinformation showing whether the communication with the computer ispermitted or not, the address obtained by said address obtaining means,and the port number obtained by said port number obtaining means anddiscriminating whether the communication with the computer is made ornot; and port number notifying means for, if it is determined that thecommunication with the computer is made, notifying said computer of theport number corresponding to a designated data process, wherein thedesignated data process is executed in accordance with data in which theport number of the transfer destination is the port number notified bysaid port number notifying means.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8,further comprising: permission notifying means for, if it is determinedthat the communication with the computer is made, notifying saidcomputer of the fact that the communication is permitted; and receivingmeans for receiving a port number request for requesting that the portnumber corresponding to the designated data process is notified, andwherein said port number notifying means notifies the port numbercorresponding to the designated data process in accordance with saidport number request.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidimage processing apparatus is a printer.
 11. A communicating method inan image processing apparatus which can communicate with a computer viaa network by using a port number allocated in correspondence to a kindof data process and executes an image process in accordance with datafrom the computer, comprising: an address obtaining step of obtaining anaddress of a transferring source of the data on the basis of the datareceived from said computer; a port number obtaining step of obtaining aport number of a transfer destination of the data on the basis of thedata received from said computer; and a discriminating step of collatinglimitation information showing whether the communication with thecomputer is permitted or not, the address obtained by said addressobtaining step, and the port number obtained by said port numberobtaining step and discriminating whether the communication with thecomputer is made or not, wherein if it is determined that thecommunication with the computer is made, the data process correspondingto the port number obtained by said port number obtaining step isexecuted.
 12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: adeciding step of deciding whether the port number obtained by said portnumber obtaining step is a first port number corresponding to a printingprocess for processing print data or a second port number correspondingto a managing process for processing the apparatus in accordance withcommand data, and wherein if it is determined that the communicationwith the computer is made, the printing process or the managing processis executed in accordance with whether the port number obtained by saidport number obtaining step is the first port number or the second portnumber.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the port number isallocated in correspondence to a kind of job, and when the communicationwith the computer is made, a process of a job corresponding to the portnumber obtained by said port number obtaining step is executed.
 14. Amethod according to claim 11, wherein in said limitation information,the address, the port number, and permission information showing whetherthe communication with the computer is permitted or not are made tocorrespond to each other, and in said discriminating step, whether thecommunication with the computer is made or not is discriminated on thebasis of said permission information corresponding to the addressobtained by said address obtaining step and the port number obtained bysaid port number obtaining step.
 15. A method according to claim 11,wherein in said discriminating step, if the address obtained by saidaddress obtaining step and the port number obtained by said port numberobtaining step do not correspond to said limitation information, whetherthe communication with the computer is made or not is discriminated inaccordance with a preset operation designation.
 16. A method accordingto claim 11, further comprising: a receiving step of receiving aconnecting request from the computer; and a connection control step ofestablishing the connection to the computer, and wherein in said addressobtaining step, the address of the transferring source of the connectingrequest is obtained on the basis of said connecting request, in saidport number obtaining step, the port number of the transfer destinationof the connecting request is obtained on the basis of said connectingrequest, in said discriminating step, said limitation information, theaddress obtained by said address obtaining step, and the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining step are collated, and whetherthe connection to the computer is established or not is discriminated,in said connection control step, the connection to the computer isestablished if it is determined that the connection is established, andthe data process is executed after the connection to the computer wasestablished by said connection control step.
 17. A method according toclaim 11, wherein said image processing apparatus is a printer.
 18. Acommunicating method in an image processing apparatus which cancommunicate with a computer via a network by using a port numberallocated in correspondence to a kind of data process and executes animage process in accordance with data from the computer, comprising: anaddress obtaining step of obtaining an address of a transferring sourceof the data on the basis of the data received from said computer; a portnumber obtaining step of obtaining a port number of a transferdestination of the data on the basis of the data received from saidcomputer; a discriminating step of collating limitation informationshowing whether the communication with the computer is permitted or not,the address obtained by said address obtaining step, and the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining step and discriminating whetherthe communication with the computer is made or not; and a port numbernotifying step of, if it is determined that the communication with thecomputer is made, notifying said computer of the port numbercorresponding to a designated data process, wherein the designated dataprocess is executed in accordance with data in which the port number ofthe transfer destination is the port number notified by said port numbernotifying step.
 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:a permission notifying step of, if it is determined that thecommunication with the computer is made, notifying said computer of thefact that the communication is permitted; and a receiving step ofreceiving a port number request for requesting that the port numbercorresponding to the designated data process is notified, and wherein insaid port number notifying step, the port number corresponding to thedesignated data process is notified in accordance with said port numberrequest.
 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said imageprocessing apparatus is a printer.
 21. A control program of an imageprocessing apparatus which can communicate with a computer via a networkby using a port number allocated in correspondence to a kind of dataprocess and executes an image process in accordance with data from thecomputer, wherein said control program allows a processor to execute: anaddress obtaining step of obtaining an address of a transferring sourceof the data on the basis of the data received from said computer; a portnumber obtaining step of obtaining a port number of a transferdestination of the data on the basis of the data received from saidcomputer; and a discriminating step of collating limitation informationshowing whether the communication with the computer is permitted or not,the address obtained by said address obtaining step, and the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining step and discriminating whetherthe communication with the computer is made or not, and if it isdetermined that the communication with the computer is made, the dataprocess corresponding to the port number obtained by said port numberobtaining step is executed.
 22. A recording medium which stores acontrol program of an image processing apparatus which can communicatewith a computer via a network by using a port number allocated incorrespondence to a kind of data process and executes an image processin accordance with data from the computer, wherein said control programallows a processor to execute: an address obtaining step of obtaining anaddress of a transferring source of the data on the basis of the datareceived from said computer; a port number obtaining step of obtaining aport number of a transfer destination of the data on the basis of thedata received from said computer; and a discriminating step of collatinglimitation information showing whether the communication with thecomputer is permitted or not, the address obtained by said addressobtaining step, and the port number obtained by said port numberobtaining step and discriminating whether the communication with thecomputer is made or not, and if it is determined that the communicationwith the computer is made, the data process corresponding to the portnumber obtained by said port number obtaining step is executed.
 23. Animage processing apparatus which can communicate with a computer via anetwork by using a port number allocated in correspondence to a kind ofdata process and executes an image process in accordance with data fromthe computer, comprising: a memory for storing a control program; and aprocessor for executing, in accordance with said control program storedin said memory, a step of obtaining an address of a transferring sourceof the data on the basis of the data received from said computer, a stepof obtaining a port number of a transfer destination of the data on thebasis of the data received from said computer, and a step of collatinglimitation information showing whether the communication with thecomputer is permitted or not, the address obtained by said addressobtaining step, and the port number obtained by said port numberobtaining step and discriminating whether the communication with thecomputer is made or not, wherein if it is determined that thecommunication with the computer is made, the data process correspondingto the port number obtained by said port number obtaining step isexecuted.
 24. An image processing apparatus which can communicate with acomputer via a network by using a port number allocated incorrespondence to a kind of data process and executes an image processin accordance with data from the computer, comprising: a memory forstoring a control program; and a processor for executing, in accordancewith said control program stored in said memory, a step of obtaining anaddress of a transferring source of the data on the basis of the datareceived from said computer, a step of obtaining a port number of atransfer destination of the data on the basis of the data received fromsaid computer, a step of collating limitation information showingwhether the communication with the computer is permitted or not, theaddress obtained by said address obtaining step, and the port numberobtained by said port number obtaining step and discriminating whetherthe communication with the computer is made or not, and a step of, if itis determined that the communication with the computer is made,notifying the computer of a port number corresponding to a designateddata process, wherein the designated data process is executed inaccordance with data in which the port number of the transferdestination is the port number notified by said port number notifyingstep.